Whats the problem, board or sail?

Question
I have been windsurfing for a year. I use a Tiga X game 165 board with a bic cruiser 6.5 sail. I am only able to consistently plane when the wind is at least 20mph. The problem is, that is rare and 10 to 15 is more the norm. BTW I weigh about 190 lbs. Is it my board or sail(or both) holding me back ? I sail in a bay not far from the Ocean in the Northeast. Thanks for any help or advice you can give.

Answer
Hey LT,

There could be a number of factors affecting your planing.

First, I would think that you may need a bit more sail for the 10-15mph days. Even with the volume of your board, a 6.5 may not be enough sail for the size of your board and your weight.

Second, are you using the factory fin and are you using the daggerboard when trying to get up on a plane? The factory fin may be a bit small for a 6.5 in 10-15mph winds. You may need to go to a 7.5-8.0 sail with a 50-55cm fin. This will give you more sail power and more fin for lifting the board onto a plane. Also, if you are using the daggerboard when trying to plane, it may be creating a bit of drag and not allowing the fin to power up as well as it could. Planing of any board is mainly about powering up the fin to provide lift to the board and allow planing.

Third, are your footstraps set on the inboard setting or at the outboard setting? With your footstraps at the inboard setting, it allows for easier learning of getting into the straps but limits the ability to plane as your weight is closer to the center of the board and doesn't allow you to power the fin. In the outboard position, it puts your weight out from the center of the board and allows you to power the fin easier.

Fourth, what are you doing to get on a plane? Just holding onto the sail until the board goes fast enough? Are you pumping your sail? Are you pumping the board to power up the fin? If you are just waiting for the wind, you will rarely get on a plane. If you are working the sail and the board, you will be on a plane when you want to be. Pumping the sail is pretty basic and will get the board moving. Once you have enough wind and speed to get hooked into the harness, then you can start working the board. Pumping the board is a matter of relaxing the knees and then pushing the board away while keeping even pressure on both feet to control the direction of the board. As the board picks up speed and starts to plane, you can move to the front footstrap. Keep pumping the board until on a full plane and then move the back foot to the back footstrap. Once you learn this technique, you will start feeling the fin power up and the board speed increase. This will get you planing and keep you planing when others are still struggling.

For some great instruction, go to winsurfingmag.com under instruction. Check out the articles in all three areas, beginner/intermediate/advanced for tons of great help.

Hope this helps.
Keep on sailing,
Windlover